Advanced proctoring settings - Smart Browser

In this article, we will explore the following topics:

1. What is Smart Browser?
2. Supported Operating Systems
3. Enable Smart Browser in settings
4. How Smart Browser helps prevent cheating?
5. After the test
6. Candidate journey using Smart Browser

What is Smart Browser?

HackerEarth’s Smart Browser is a secure desktop application designed to help you conduct tests with enhanced proctoring. It offers stricter controls compared to standard browser-based tests, ensuring a more reliable and cheat-resistant testing experience.

By using Smart Browser, you can be more confident that candidates are completing assessments in a controlled and secure environment.

Supported Operating Systems

Smart Browser is supported by the following Operating Systems (OS):

Enable Smart Browser in settings

Admins can enable Smart Browser from the proctoring settings while creating or editing a test. Once enabled, candidates will be required to attempt the test using Smart Browser only.

How Smart Browser helps prevent cheating?

Smart Browser uses multiple security checks before and during the test to ensure fairness and integrity.

Security measures before the test

Before the test begins, Smart Browser verifies the candidate’s system setup and ensures that all security requirements are met. Candidates must launch the test exclusively through the Smart Browser application.

Smart Browser performs a complete system check to:

• Detect whether the system is running in a virtual environment
  
  
• Ensure all display requirements are met
  
  
• Verify that the required domains are accessible
  
  
• Check for any open applications

If restricted applications are detected, you can choose to close them manually or allow Smart Browser to close them automatically.

Security measures during the test

Once the test starts, Smart Browser actively restricts actions that could compromise test integrity. It prevents candidates from:

1. Sharing or recording the test window
2. Taking screenshots of the test
3. Opening or switching to other applications
4. Resizing the test window
5. Using multiple monitors
6. Running the test inside a virtual machine
7. Accessing browser developer tools

Any attempt by a candidate to move away from the test screen, such as switching workspaces, exiting full-screen mode, or opening another application in the background, will trigger a warning. 

If the candidate does not return to the test within 10 seconds after the initial warning, they will be automatically removed from the test.

Restricted keyboard actions

To maintain focus and prevent misuse, the following key combinations are disabled:

• Function keys and related combinations (for example, F1, Alt + F5)
• Alt + Tab
• Ctrl + Alt + Delete
• Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V
• Operating system shortcut keys (such as Windows key, Mac Command key, and combinations like Windows key + C)

Additional controls

• Operating system notifications are blocked
• Screen recording and screen-sharing tools are disabled

After the test

After the test is completed, Smart Browser safely exits the secure mode and restores normal system access.

You can additionally choose to receive the following test reports via email:

• Email report: Choose to email the assessment summary report to all Test Admins.
• Plagiarism report: Receive a detailed plagiarism report after the test is completed.
• Detailed assessment report: Include the detailed assessment report (PDF) along with the summary report.

Candidate journey using Smart Browser

The candidate experience with Smart Browser is simple and guided:

You can find more information about the candidate journey in this article.